JJ Delaney says Sunday's hurling league final will be just like a championship match.

The Kilkenny full back will become the first man from his county to win seven NHL medals if the Cats prevail at Nowlan Park this weekend and he believes the early-May match will bring both teams on in leaps and bounds:

"It's like starting the championship a bit earlier than what we are used to, but that's exactly what you need," he tells gaa.ie.

"A match against Tipperary in a league final is going to set you up nicely for a championship - you hope it would anyway. It's a game that we have to look forward to. It's a championship game, knockout, winner takes it all. We're looking forward to it on Sunday.

"It's about getting used to winning again. Winning becomes a habit so it's a case of putting your head down. There is silverware up for grabs too so both teams will want to win it. May the best team win."

As for the prospect of claiming a record-breaking league medal, he adds: "I didn't even know that to be honest with you. If it happens, it happens and that would be great. There are a couple of lads on it that don't have an Allianz League medal at all so Sunday is about getting them on the road too. If it happens it would be brilliant." Tweet

Most Read Stories